Fresh off their first victory in the past five games (and second win in the past eight), the Rapids on Saturday can continue that momentum ... straight into the offseason.

A 7 p.m. season finale at Dick's Sporting Goods Park against the playoff-bound Houston Dynamo really could propel the Rapids toward next season. Changes are bound to be plenty after their, so far, 10-19-4 campaign. Colorado will miss the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2009.

So Saturday's game is not without importance.

"We trained hard this week to be prepared for the game and be ready end the season in the best way possible," midfielder Martin Rivero said this week.

Two players in their first seasons for Colorado — Rivero (eight assists) and Jaime Castrillon (eight goals) — have led the team under first-year coach Oscar Pareja.

But jobs are on the line and Rapids fans — the team has an average attendance of 15,157, a better than 2 percent increase over 2011 — are anxious for victories, sooner than later.

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